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Abstract:

A nut that includes a body having an aperture disposed within the body,
threads located within the aperture of the body, and a plurality of
protrusions disposed along a circumference of the body. The plurality of
protrusions provides visual and tactile directional signals as to the
rotational direction required to attach or detach the nut to or from a
threaded member. The nut may be used for attaching a water filter system
to a water faucet.

Claims:

1. A nut for attaching a first device to a second device, comprising:a
body having a threaded aperture disposed within the body; anda plurality
of protrusions circumferentially positioned along and extending from the
body, wherein each of the protrusions comprises a pressure-bearing face
and a non-pressure-bearing face.

2. The nut according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions
provides visual and tactile directional signals as to the rotational
direction required to tighten the nut.

3. The nut according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions are
unidirectional.

4. The nut according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-bearing face has an
angle of leverage α and the non-pressure-bearing face has an angle
of leverage β, and wherein the angle of leverage α is less
than the angle of leverage β.

5. The nut according to claim 4, wherein the angle of leverage α is
from about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees the angle of leverage β is
from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees.

6. The nut according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions include a
curvature that is defined by a finger recess depth (D) that ranges from
about 0.115 inches to about 0.220 inches and a conic arc, wherein the
conic arc is further defined by a RHO value of the conic arc that ranges
from about 0.5 to about 0.75, an angle λ of the conic arc trailing
edge that ranges from about 130 degrees to about 190 degrees, and a
radius (B) of the non-pressure bearing face that ranges from about 0.3
inches to about 1.5 inches.

7. The nut according to claim 1, wherein the nut is configured to attach a
water filter system to a water faucet.

8. The nut according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions include at least
a partially textured surface.

9. The nut according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions have a surface
comprising a low durometer plastic.

10. An asymmetrical nut for attaching a water filter device to a water
supply, comprising:a nut body having a circular aperture disposed within
the body, wherein the body is asymmetrical with respect to any plane that
contains a longitudinal axis of the nut body; anda plurality of
unidirectional gripping areas circumferentially positioned along a
perimeter of the body.

11. The asymmetrical nut according to claim 10, wherein each of the
gripping areas comprises a pressure-bearing face and a
non-pressure-bearing face.

12. The asymmetrical nut according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of
gripping areas provide visual and tactile directional signals as to the
rotational direction required to tighten the nut.

13. The asymmetrical nut according to claim 11, wherein the
pressure-bearing face has an angle of leverage α and the
non-pressure-bearing face has an angle of leverage β, and wherein
the angle of leverage α is less than the angle of leverage β.

14. The asymmetrical nut according to claim 11, wherein the angle of
leverage α is from about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees and the
angle of leverage β is from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees.

15. The asymmetrical nut according to claim 11, wherein the gripping areas
include a curvature that is defined by a finger recess depth (D) that
ranges from about 0.115 inches to about 0.220 inches and a conic arc, and
wherein the conic arc is further defined by a RHO value of the conic arc
that ranges from about 0.5 to about 0.75, an angle λ of the conic
arc trailing edge that ranges from about 130 degrees to about 190
degrees, and a radius (B) of the non-pressure bearing face that ranges
from about 0.3 inches to about 1.5 inches.

16. The asymmetrical nut according to claim 10, wherein the nut is
configured to attach a water filter system to a water faucet.

17. The nut according to claim 10, wherein the gripping areas include at
least a partially textured surface.

18. The nut according to claim 10, wherein the gripping areas have a
surface comprising a low durometer plastic.

19. A nut for attaching a first device to a second device, comprising:a
body having a longitudinal axis and a threaded aperture disposed within
the body; anda plurality of protrusions circumferentially positioned
along and extending from the body;wherein each of the plurality of
protrusions comprises a pressure-bearing face having an angle of leverage
α and a non-pressure-bearing face having an angle of leverage
β;wherein the angle of leverage α is greater than the angle of
leverage β;wherein the angle of leverage α is from about 30
degrees to about 90 degrees for the pressure bearing faces and the angle
of leverage β is from about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees for the
non-pressure bearing faces; andwherein the gripping areas include a
curvature that is defined by a finger recess depth (D) that ranges from
about 0.115 inches to about 0.220 inches and a conic arc, and wherein the
conic arc is further defined by a RHO value of the conic arc that ranges
from about 0.5 to about 0.75, an angle λ of the conic arc trailing
edge that ranges from about 130 degrees to about 190 degrees, and a
radius (B) of the non-pressure bearing face that ranges from about 0.3
inches to about 1.5 inches.

20. The nut according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of protrusions
provides visual and tactile directional signals as to the rotational
direction required to attach or detach the nut to or from a threaded
member.

Description:

CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

[0001]Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120, this application is a continuation
of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/446,580, filed on Jun. 2, 2006, still
pending, the substance of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002]The present invention relates generally to a nut for attaching two
devices together, wherein the nut provides visual and tactile signals as
to the correct rotational direction and methods for providing the same.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a nut for attaching a
water device such as a water filter system to a water supply such as a
faucet, wherein the nut provides visual and tactile signals as to the
rotational direction required to tighten and/or install the nut onto the
water supply and methods for providing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003]Nuts for attaching devices such as a water filter system to a second
device such as a water supply (e.g., faucet) are well known in the art.
These nuts generally have a hexagonal-shaped body or a body having a
plurality of ribs or protrusions ("rib/protrusion" nut) extending from
and disposed along a circumference of the body. The hexagonal-shaped nut
includes pairs of intersecting faces that form six vertices to form its
hexagonal shape. The hexagonal-shaped nut is symmetrical relative to
planes that contain either pairs of opposing midpoints of the hexagonal
faces or opposing vertices and the longitudinal axis of the nut. With
respect to the "rib/protrusion" nut designs, such designs also include a
plurality of two intersecting faces that form a plurality of ribs or
protrusions. Similar to the hexagonal nut, the "rib/protrusion" nut
designs are symmetrical relative to planes that contain a protrusion and
the longitudinal axis of the nut.

[0004]The portion of the faces near the vertices of the hexagonal nut
design and/or the faces of the ribs or protrusions of the rib/protrusion
nut design provide a face of equal leverage for a user to grip and/or
apply pressure to with his/her hand or fingers no matter which direction
the user is rotating the nut (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise). In
other words, the conventional nut designs are bi-directional because they
provide a user the same tactile and visual signals in either direction of
rotation. This often causes a user confusion as to which direction the
nut should be rotated in order to tighten or loosen it.

[0005]Accordingly, an improved nut design and method for providing the
same are needed in order to inform the user as to the direction that it
should be turned to either tighten or loosen it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]The present invention is directed to a nut for attaching two
devices, wherein the nut provides visual and tactile signals as to the
correct rotational direction of the nut.

[0007]One embodiment of the present invention is a nut that includes a
body having an aperture disposed within the body, threads located within
the aperture of the body, and a plurality of gripping areas disposed
along a circumference of the body. The plurality of gripping areas
provides visual and tactile directional signals as to the rotational
direction required to attach or detach the nut to or from a threaded
member.

[0008]Another embodiment of the present invention is a nut for attaching a
first device to a second device that includes a body having a threaded
aperture disposed within the body and a plurality of protrusions
circumferentially positioned along and extending from a perimeter of the
body. The plurality of protrusions comprises a pressure-bearing face and
a non-pressure-bearing face.

[0009]Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an asymmetrical
nut for attaching a water device to a water supply that includes a nut
body having a circular aperture disposed within the body and a plurality
of unidirectional gripping areas circumferentially positioned along a
perimeter of the body. The body is asymmetrical with respect to any plane
that contains the longitudinal axis of the nut body.

[0010]One embodiment of the present invention is a method for providing a
nut with visual and tactile signals for attaching the nut to a threaded
member. The method includes providing a nut body and forming a plurality
of unidirectional gripping areas along a circumference of the body such
that the plurality of gripping areas provides visual and tactile
directional signals as to the correct rotational direction required to
attach the nut to a threaded member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing
out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed the same will
be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary nut according to an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the exemplary nut according to FIG. 1;

[0014]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the exemplary nut taken along
A-A of FIG. 2;

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary nut according to an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the exemplary nut according to FIG. 4;

[0017]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an exemplary nut according to an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the exemplary nut according to
FIG. 6;

[0019]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the exemplary nut according to the
embodiment of FIG. 1, further connected to a schematic representation of
a water filter system; and

[0020]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exemplary nut according to the
embodiment of FIG. 1, further connected to a schematic representation of
a water filter system and a schematic representation of a water faucet.

[0021]The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature
and not intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims.
Moreover, individual features of the drawings and the invention will be
more fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022]Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the
invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, wherein like numerals indicate similar elements throughout the
views.

[0023]FIGS. 1-3 show an exemplary embodiment of a nut 10 according to the
present invention. Nut 10 may include a body 16, a circular aperture 18
disposed through body 16, and a plurality of gripping areas 13 positioned
along and/or disposed within a circumference or perimeter 11 of body 16.
Nut body 16 may be fabricated using any conventional methods such as
compression or injection molding and/or machining from a variety of
conventional materials, including but not limited to metals, plastics
such as polymers (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),
polycarbonate, polyethylene), composite materials, or any combination
thereof as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Aperture 18 may
also include internal threads 19 located within it. Threads 19 may also
comprise any conventional threading and be fabricated from a variety of
materials such as metal, plastics (e.g., polymers), composite materials,
or any combination thereof as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Also, threads 19 may be part of an insert that is installed within and
connected to aperture 18 or formed as an integral part of aperture 18
itself.

[0024]As depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, the exemplary nut 10 may be configured
to be connected or attached to a conventional faucet mounted water filter
system 300 such that nut 10 may be used to attach, connect, or mount the
water filter system 300 to a water faucet 400. For example, threads 19
may be configured to threadingly engage external threads disposed on an
end of a water faucet 400 in order to attach, connect, or mount the water
filter system 300 to the water faucet 400. Although not required, nut 10
may also include a gasket or seal (not shown) that is configured to make
the nut connection to the faucet waterproof or leak proof. It is
understood that this and other examples shown and described herein are
used for illustration purposes, and not limitation. It is also understood
that nut 10 may be used to connect other devices such as other water
devices such as a sprayer to water supplies such as a hose, pump, etc. as
known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0025]As set forth above, plurality of gripping areas 13 may be disposed
within body 16 along circumference 11. Gripping areas 13 may comprise a
surface 15, a pressure bearing face 12, and a non-pressure bearing face
14. Surface 15 may be fabricated from the same material as the body or a
separate material such a low durometer plastic. A low durometer plastic
may be desirable for at least a portion of surface 15 in order to provide
a soft touch or feel to a user when making contact or gripping nut 10. An
exemplary plastic that may be used to partially cover or fabricate
surface 15 may comprise a low durometer elastomer.

[0026]Pressure bearing face 12 may comprise an angle of leverage α
and non-pressure bearing face 14 may comprise an angle of leverage
β. Angle of leverage α is measured from a hypothetical line 1
that is tangent to circumference 11 and a hypothetical line 2 that is
tangent to the slope of the initial curvature (conic, spherical or
linear) defining face 12. Angle of leverage β is measured from a
hypothetical line 3 that is tangent to circumference 11 and a
hypothetical line 4 that is tangent to the slope of the initial curvature
(conic, spherical or linear) defining face 14. In the present invention,
angle of leverage α may range from about 10 degrees to about 90
degrees, and angle of leverage β may range from about 0 degrees to
about 90 degrees. The angle of leverage (α and β) defines the
angle of the face (e.g., pressure bearing face 12 or non-pressure bearing
face 14) available to make contact with a user's hand or fingers when
attempting to grip and turn the nut. For example, the greater the angle
of leverage (the closer the angle is to 90 degrees), the greater the
slope of the face and thus the more face that is available for the user's
hand or fingers to apply pressure against. As used herein, a
"non-pressure bearing face" is defined as a face that has an angle of
leverage (e.g., angle β) that is less than the angle of leverage
(e.g., angle α) of an adjacent pressure bearing face of the same
nut.

[0027]In the one exemplary embodiment set forth in FIG. 2, non-pressure
bearing face 14 has an angle of leverage β that is less than the
angle of leverage α of pressure bearing face 12, thus forming face
14 into the non-pressure bearing face. In the exemplary embodiment, angle
of leverage α may range from about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees
(e.g., about 60 degrees) and angle of leverage β may range from
about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees (e.g., about 30 degrees). It is
understood that the angle of leverage may comprise an angle greater than
90 degrees in other alternative embodiments. As shown in FIG. 2, pressure
bearing faces 12 and non-pressure bearing faces 14 cause nut 10 and
gripping areas 13 to have an asymmetrical shape relative to any plane
(e.g., P-P') that contains the longitudinal axis L-L' of nut 10.

[0028]It has been discovered that since nut 10 includes gripping areas 13
that comprise a pressure bearing face and a non-pressure bearing face
(i.e., angle β is less than angle α), nut 10 provides a user
both visual and tactile signals as to which rotational direction is the
correct direction such as which rotational direction is required to
tighten nut 10 to install a filter system onto a faucet. It is understood
that the nut may be alternatively configured to provide visual and
tactile signals as to which rotational direction is required to loosen
nut 10. A nut of the present invention that provides visual and tactile
signals as to which single rotational direction is correct is defined
herein as unidirectional This is very beneficial to a user when trying to
install a faucet mounted water filter system onto a water faucet because
the visual and tactile signals simplify and expedite the installation of
the filter system by eliminating uncertainty about correct rotation of
the nut. Such visual and tactile signals found in the present invention
are absent from conventional nut designs.

[0029]Conventional nut designs generally have gripping areas or
protrusions/ribs that include two pressure bearing faces adjacent to each
other and lack a non-pressure bearing face. Such designs provide
conventional nuts with a symmetrical shape. Since the nuts do not have
gripping areas with a pressure bearing face and a non-pressure bearing
face (having an angle of leverage less than the angle of leverage of the
pressure bearing face), conventional nuts do not provide a user visual or
tactile signals as to the correct and/or desired rotational direction
(e.g., which direction is required to tighten and/or install the nut). If
anything, the conventional nut designs provide a user visual and tactile
signals that the nut may be rotated in either direction, thus allowing
the user to become confused as to which is the correct rotational
direction.

[0030]In addition, body 16 may be fabricated such that it has a top
surface 17 that is configured to be level or linear (i.e., no curvature)
such that a user may use the top surface to align the nut in an
orientation that permits easy threading of the nut onto the faucet during
the installation of the water filter system. As shown in FIG. 2, the
curvature of gripping areas 13, essentially are located between pressure
bearing face 12 and non-pressure bearing face 14, may be further defined
by a depth (D) of gripping areas 13, a radius (B) of non-pressure bearing
face, and a conic arc. The conic arc may comprise a RHO value (A) and an
angle λ of the conic arc's trailing edge. In the exemplary
embodiment, depth (D) may range from about 0.115 inches to about 0.220
inches, radius (B) may range from about 0.3 inches to about 1.5 inches,
RHO value (A) may range from about 0.5 to about 0.75, and angle λ
may range an angle from about 130 degrees to about 190 degrees. In one
exemplary embodiment, depth (D) is about 0.1 inches, radius (B) is about
1.0 inches, RHO value (A) is about 0.5, radius (B) is about 1.0 inches,
and angle λ is about 175 degrees. As shown, this exemplary
embodiment comprises gripping areas having a smooth, curvilinear shape.
However, it is understood that gripping areas 13, including pressure
bearing and non-pressure bearing faces 12 and 14, may comprise other
curvilinear, linear, non-linear, or any other shape as known to one of
ordinary skill in the art.

[0031]The plurality of pressure bearing faces 12 may be positioned or
spaced-apart from each other at a variety of intervals along
circumference 11. For example, each pressure bearing face of the
plurality of pressure bearing faces may be spaced from each other at an
angle θ of from about 1 degree to about 180 degrees, alternatively
from about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees. In the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1-3, angle θ is about 60 degrees between each
pressure bearing face 12.

[0032]Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, another exemplary embodiment of a nut
100 according to the present invention is shown. Nut 100 may include a
body 116, a circular aperture 118 disposed through body 116, and a
plurality of gripping areas 113 positioned along and/or disposed within a
circumference or perimeter 111 of body 116. Gripping areas 113 may be
disposed along circumference 111 such that each pressure bearing face 112
is spaced about 60 degrees (angle θ) along circumference 111 from
an adjacent pressure bearing face 112. It is understood, however, the
angle θ may range from about 1 degree to about 180 degrees.

[0033]As set forth above, nut body 116 may be fabricated using any
conventional methods such as compression or injection molding and/or
machining from a variety of conventional materials, including but not
limited to metals, plastics such as polymers (e.g., acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene), composite
materials, or any combination thereof as known to one of ordinary skill
in the art. Aperture 118 may also include internal threads 119 located
within it. In addition, threads 119 may also comprise any conventional
threading and be fabricated from a variety of materials such as metal,
plastics (e.g., polymers), composite materials, or any combination
thereof as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In the exemplary
embodiment shown, threads 119 are a separate unit that is inserted into
aperture 118 and attached to body 116.

[0034]The exemplary nut shown may be configured to be connected to a
conventional faucet mounted water filter system 300 such that nut 100 may
be used to attach, connect, or mount the water filter system 300 to a
water faucet 400. Threads 119 may be configured to threadingly engage
external threads disposed on an end of the water faucet 400 in order to
connect the water filter system 300 to the water faucet 400. Nut 100 may
include other components such as a gasket described above herein or other
components as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is
understood that nut 100 may be used to connect other devices such as
other water devices such as a sprayer to water supplies such as a hose,
pump, etc. as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0035]As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, gripping areas 113 may comprise a surface
115, a pressure bearing face 112, and a non-pressure bearing face 114.
Surface 115 may be at least partially fabricated from the same material
as the body or a separate material such a low durometer plastic (e.g., an
elastomer) to provide a soft touch or feel to a user when making contact
or gripping nut 110. Pressure bearing face 112 may comprise an angle of
leverage α and non-pressure bearing face 114 may comprise an angle
of leverage β. Angle of leverage α is measured from a
hypothetical line 101 that is tangent to circumference 111 and a
hypothetical line 102 that is tangent to the slope of the initial
curvature (conic, spherical or linear) defining face 112. Angle of
leverage β is measured from a hypothetical line 103 that is tangent
to circumference 111 and a hypothetical line 104 that is tangent to the
slope of the initial curvature (conic, spherical or linear) defining face
114.

[0036]In the exemplary embodiment, angle of leverage α may range
from about 10 degrees to about 90 degrees, and angle of leverage β
may range from about 0 degrees to about 90 degrees. The angle of leverage
(α and β) defines the angle of the face (e.g., pressure
bearing face 112 or non-pressure bearing face 114) available to make
contact with a user's hand or fingers when attempting to grip and turn
the nut. For example, the greater the angle of leverage (the closer the
angle is to 90 degrees), the greater the slope of the face and thus the
more face that is available for the user's hand or fingers to apply
pressure against.

[0037]In the exemplary embodiment, angle of leverage α is about 60
degrees and angle of leverage β is about 30 degrees. Since the angle
of leverage β of non-pressure bearing face 114 is less than the
angle of leverage α of pressure bearing face 112, nut 100 provides
a user with both visual and tactile signals as to the correct, required,
or desired rotational direction (e.g., which direction is required to
tighten and/or install nut 100 onto a device such as a water supply,
particularly a faucet). As set forth above, such visual and tactile
signals discovered and found in the present invention are absent from
conventional nut designs. Pressure bearing faces 112 and non-pressure
bearing faces 114 and their corresponding angles of leverage cause nut
100 and gripping areas 113 to have an asymmetrical shape relative to any
plane (e.g., R-R') that contains the longitudinal axis L-L' of nut 100.

[0038]Still referring to FIG. 5, the curvature of gripping areas 113 may
be further defined by three measurements: a depth (D) of gripping areas
113; a radius (B) of non-pressure bearing face 114; and a radius (C) of
pressure bearing face 112. In the exemplary embodiment shown, depth (D)
is about 0.1 inches, radius (B) is about 0.5 inches, and radius (C) is
about 1 inch. Unlike the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the curvature of
the gripping areas shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are not formed by a conic arc.
Thus, since the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 does not
include a conic arc, gripping areas 113 do not have a RHO value or an
angle λ, which are measurements defining a conic arc. As shown,
this exemplary embodiment comprises gripping areas having a smooth,
curvilinear shape as well.

[0039]Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, another exemplary embodiment of a nut
200 according to the present invention is shown. Nut 200 may include a
body 216, a circular aperture 218 disposed through body 216, and a
plurality of gripping areas 213 positioned along and/or disposed within a
circumference or perimeter 211 of body 216. Gripping areas 213 may be
disposed along circumference 211 such that each pressure bearing face 212
is spaced about 60 degrees (angle θ) along circumference 211 from
an adjacent pressure bearing face 212. It is understood that angle
θ may range from about 1 degree to about 180 degrees.

[0040]As set forth above, nut body 216 may be fabricated using any
conventional methods such as compression or injection molding and/or
machining from a variety of conventional materials, including but not
limited to metals, plastics such as polymers (e.g., acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene), composite
materials, or any combination thereof as known to one of ordinary skill
in the art. Aperture 218 may also include internal threads 219 located
within it. In addition, threads 219 may also comprise any conventional
threading and be fabricated from a variety of materials such as metal,
plastics (e.g., polymers), composite materials, or any combination
thereof as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In the exemplary
embodiment shown, threads 219 may be formed within and be integral to
aperture 218 or be a separate unit that is inserted into aperture 218 and
attached to body 216.

[0041]Again, the exemplary nut shown may be configured to be connected to
a conventional faucet mounted water filter system 300 such that nut 200
may be used to attach, connect, or mount the water filter system 300 to a
water faucet 400. Threads 219 may be configured to threadingly engage
external threads disposed on an end of the water faucet 400 in order to
connect the water filter system 300 to the water faucet 400. Nut 200 may
include other components such as a gasket described above herein or other
components as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is
understood that nut 200 may be used to connect other devices such as
other water devices such as a sprayer to water supplies such as a hose,
pump, etc. as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0042]As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, gripping areas 213 may comprise a surface
215, a pressure bearing face 212, and a non-pressure bearing face 214.
Surface 215 may be at least partially fabricated from the same material
as the body or a separate material such a low durometer plastic (e.g., an
elastomer) to provide a soft touch or feel to a user when making contact
or gripping nut 200. In addition, pressure bearing face 212 may comprise
an angle of leverage α and non-pressure bearing face 214 may
comprise an angle of leverage β. Angle of leverage α is
measured from a hypothetical line 201 that is tangent to circumference
211 and a hypothetical line 202 that is tangent to the slope of the
initial curvature (conic, spherical or linear) defining face 212. Angle
of leverage β is measured from a hypothetical line 203 that is
tangent to circumference 211 and a hypothetical line 204 that is tangent
to the slope of the initial linear surface defining face 214.

[0043]In the exemplary embodiment, angle of leverage α is about 60
degrees and angle of leverage β is about 15 degrees. Since the angle
of leverage β of non-pressure bearing face 214 is less than the
angle of leverage α of pressure bearing face 212, nut 200 provides
a user with both visual and tactile signals as to the correct rotational
direction (e.g., which rotational direction is required to tighten and/or
install nut 200 onto a device such as a water supply, particularly a
faucet). Such visual and tactile signals found in the present invention
are absent from conventional nut designs. Pressure bearing faces 212 and
non-pressure bearing faces 214 and their corresponding angles of leverage
cause nut 200 and gripping areas 213 to have an asymmetrical shape
relative to any plane (e.g., Q-Q') that contains the longitudinal axis
L-L' of nut 200. Unlike the gripping areas of the other exemplary
embodiments set forth above herein, gripping areas 213 of this exemplary
embodiment do not comprise a smooth, curvilinear shape such as a conic
arc. As shown, gripping areas 213 comprise a linear shape.

[0044]All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention
are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of
any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art
with respect to the present invention.

[0045]While particular embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the
art that various other changes and modifications can be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore
intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and
modifications that are within the scope of this invention.